'My Dear Thala,' CSK's Special Note For MS Dhoni Will Melt Your Heart

With four balls left in the Chennai Super Kings innings, MS Dhoni came down to bat against Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 on Sunday. What followed next was nothing less than a miracle. Vintage MS Dhoni hit three back-to-back sixes to finish the proceedings on an emphatic note at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Facing Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya in the final over of the innings, Dhoni scored a quickfire 20 (not out) off just four balls to guide the defending champions to a solid total of 206. The legendary skipper’s cameo was enough to help the visitors breach the 200-run total.

Following MS Dhoni’s incredible cameo, Chennai Super Kings shared a video of the World Cup-winning skipper’s cameo against Mumbai Indians on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “My dear Thala,” read the post shared by Chennai Super Kings.

MS Dhoni’s brilliance with the bat left everyone in awe and Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya also lavished huge praise on the legendary cricketer. “It (target) was definitely gettable, but they bowled pretty well. Pathirana was the difference. They were smart with the plans and their approach. They got the hang of it, there’s a man behind the stumps (MS Dhoni) who tells them what’s working, that helps,” Pandya said at the post-match presentation.

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Apart from MS Dhoni, Chennai Super Kings’ Shivam Dube also excelled with the bat scoring 66 (not out) off 38 balls. Dube’s power-packed knock comprised 10 boundaries and two sixes. Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad also led the visitors from the front pulling off a commendable knock of 69 off 40 balls.

In the bowling line-up, Matheesha Pathirana was the star performer for Chennai Super Kings. The Sri Lanka pacer scripted his best IPL figures, picking up four wickets, including Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav in the same over. Pathirana also dismissed Romario Shepherd and Tilak Varma yesterday.

“It (pitch) was holding up a bit and getting difficult. It was about batting well and keeping the intent. We were going quite well (in the run chase) till Pathirana came into the attack and took those two wickets,” Hardik Pandya said following the loss at the hands of Chennai Super Kings.

With the 20-run win against Mumbai Indians on Sunday, Chennai Super Kings now have eight points from six games. The reigning champions are now placed at the third spot in the IPL 2024 standings. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians now claim the eighth spot with two wins from six matches.